11:25 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Designing Interactive Museum Exhibits

Kira Lowry, UTeach Austin alum
Make your classroom into an interactive museum! In this session, learn about museum exhibits as a performance assessment, design your own museum exhibit, and brainstorm how to implement museum exhibits as a performance assessment in your classroom.

11:25 a.m. to 11:39 a.m.

Connections Before Credits: Social Capital in Early College and Dual Credit

Selene Verhofstad, teachHOUSTON alum
In this session, Dr. Selene Verhofstad presents findings from her doctoral research on the role of social capital in shaping college readiness among underrepresented students enrolled in dual credit and early college high school programs. Using a mixed-methods design across five high schools, the study reveals how support systems—particularly teacher expectations, schoolwide support, and guidance counseling—differently impact students based on program type. Learn how schools can leverage relational networks to support postsecondary success and close opportunity gaps.

11:40 a.m. to 11:54 a.m.

Rehumanizing Education: Why and How to Build Authentic Connections with Students

Melissa Lugo, UTRGV UTeach alum
In an increasingly disconnected world that encourages and idealizes individualism, our students need more than just lessons—they need to be seen and heard in a loving and safe environment. This EdTalk explores why rehumanizing education matters and how authentic listening, vulnerability, and care can transform your classroom—in the hopes that this session will inspire and equip you to create a more human and compassionate classroom and, in turn, a more connected world.

11:55 a.m. to 12:10 p.m.

Rookie Teachers and Veteran Teachers: Classroom Methodology Communication

Samoni Griffin, UFTeach alum
Rookie teachers are often expected to listen and observe, instead of contributing to educator development. In this session, teachers will learn how to incorporate ideas across generations of learning, to adjust to the new generations of students, and listen to their rookie counterparts.

Transition — 12:10 p.m.

Giveaway #2: Amazon gift card

12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.

Bring the Universe to Your Students

Madison Staton, SKyTeach alum and Emilio Hinojosa, UTRGV Teach alum

Discover how the stars aligned for a group of passionate STEM educators through the McDonald Observatory Teacher Fellowship! In this dynamic panel discussion, past fellowship participants will share their transformative experiences learning from world-class astronomers, exploring the cutting-edge facilities of the McDonald Observatory, and engaging in immersive, hands-on learning around topics like light, color, cosmology, and the Big Bang. Learn how the fellowship has inspired innovative classroom practices and helped teachers bring the wonders of the universe to life for their students. Whether you're an astronomy enthusiast or new to teaching space science, this session will leave you with fresh ideas and practical strategies to spark cosmic curiosity in your classroom.

12:45 p.m. to 12:55 p.m.

Connect with USEA

12:55 p.m. to 1:40 p.m.

Keeping Kids in Our Classroom: Introduction to Non-Exclusionary Discipline

Morgan Goering, CalTeach alum
In this session, participants will explore the foundational aspects of non-exclusionary discipline tactics. Attendees will leave with actionable steps and tangible tools for implementation. The session will focus on building connection and belonging and building shared ownership in the classroom. Safe, inclusive classrooms start with relationships and difficult content can be more easily accesses by students who feel seen and supported in their classroom.

12:55 p.m. to 1:09 p.m.

Leveling Up Learning: Using Pop Culture to Power Science Projects

Alexander Eden, UTeach UMass Lowell alum
Make your classroom into an interactive museum! In this session, learn about museum exhibits as a performance assessment, design your own museum exhibit, and brainstorm how to implement museum exhibits as a performance assessment in your classroom.

1:10 p.m. to 1:24 p.m.

Tasting Education

Zulitazhira Hinojosa, UTeach Austin alum
Participants will “taste” how learning through matter—specifically salt—can reframe science education as an ethical and embodied practice. Participants will be engaged through brief storytelling, sensory reflection, and live chat prompts.

1:25 p.m. to 1:40 p.m.

The Cave Connection

Devra Willingham, UTeach Austin alum
The National Cave and Karst Research Institute (NCKRI), a research institute of New Mexico Tech, has a mission to spread knowledge of cave and karst resources. NCKRI's education program focuses on public engagement and development of materials that improve understanding of caves and karst landscapes, which make up over 20% of the United States land area. NCKRI organizes Cave Week, an outreach initiative that focuses on people's connection to caves and their impact on our lives.

Transition — 1:40 p.m.

Giveaway #3: Amazon gift card

1:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

What Is a Radian?

Faranak Nikzad, UTeach Dallas alum
Participants will work in groups of three on a hands-on activity to explore the concept of radians. They will use yarn and a circle drawn on paper to explore how many radians a circle has and how to change an angle measurement from degree to radian or vice versa.

1:45 p.m. to 1:59 p.m.

Your Footprint, Your Impact

Ellen Franco, UTeach Dallas alum
Participants will calculate their water footprints by going to a website they can easily use in their classrooms. They will also explore additional resources that help them learn how to lower their water footprint.

2:00 p.m. to 2:14 p.m.

Using PhET Simulations to Support Student Learning in Space Science

Amman Haque, Terrapin Teachers alum
Participants will explore online PhET simulations and discuss how to use them with students to further learning in space science.

2:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Lunar Innovations: Fostering Space-STEM Engagement Through UTeach and NWAY

Jennifer Hunt, UTeach Permian Basin alum
The NWAY program, sponsored by the Wex foundation and NASA, offers hands-on activities for engaging students in lunar geology. This session showcases a project where students collaborated to design 3D habitat models in Lunar Lava Tubes, simulating long-term moon missions.

Transition — 2:30

Giveaway #4: Amazon gift card

2:32 p.m. to 2:37 p.m.

Flying into Computational Thinking: Using Codrone EDU in AP Computer Science Principles

Yun Liu , UTeach Accelerate
Discover how CoDrone EDU brought computational thinking to life in an AP CSP classroom where most students were new to coding. Learn how competition-based learning and physical computing improved coding fluency by 78% and sparked STEM interest in 65% of students.

2:37 p.m. to 2:47 p.m.

Funding your STEM Club

Basilio Pesina, UTRGV UTeach alum
This session shares how I was able to built a successful funding strategy to take students to a world-level robotics competition. Attendees will receive a step-by-step plan, view sample data, and learn how to gain community and corporate support to expand access to STEM opportunities.

2:47 p.m. to 2:57 a.m.

Use Your Teacher Voice: Centering Educators in Education Policy Discourse

Fernanda Marrero Hi, teachHOUSTON alum
In politically polarizing times, educator voices must be at the forefront of all education policy discourse and decisions at every level of government. Teachers bring firsthand knowledge of what students, schools, and communities truly need, and that insight is essential in shaping effective, equitable policies. This session will explore how educators can harness their “teacher voice” to influence policy, even without a formal title or political background. Participants will reflect on the changes they want to see in education, share how they’re already advocating in big or small ways, and walk away with ideas and inspiration from fellow attendees.

Closing Remarks

Closing remarks
Giveaway #5: Teacher Supplies Box